1 Peter 3:1–6, Part 3

Beauty Is Not in Makeup or Clothing

John Piper

John Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is author of more than 50 books, including A Peculiar Glory.

Women have often been deceived into thinking that beauty is about how they look or what they wear — their clothing, jewelry, or hair style. But God defines beauty very differently. In this lab, John Piper introduces a distinct, supernatural, and imperishable beauty, and explains how women can pursue it.

Principle for Bible Reading

When the Bible gives us specific instructions for everyday lives, we need to read over them slowly, making sure we see everything the author is saying, as well as everything they are not saying. Because we’re so inclined toward do’s and don’ts, we also need to look hard at the heart each command or instruction is aiming to produce.

Study Questions

Why would Peter turn to jewelry and clothing (1 Peter 3:3–6) when he’s talking to wives about winning their husbands to faith in Jesus (1 Peter 3:1–2)?

Do these verses mean a woman should never do her hair or wear jewelry? Why or why not? Try and argue from 1 Peter 3:1–6 before going elsewhere.

Again, based on 1 Peter 3:1–6, how does a woman cultivate the kind of beauty Peter is describing?

Introduction/Prayer (00:00–01:38)

The Beauty that Matters Most (01:38–03:54)

Why does Peter turn to clothing when he’s trying to convince these wives to win their husbands? Because some may have been convinced, probably by the culture, that their influence is found in being pretty.